Joe Thorn starts a four parter on "What Does God Want?" (Someone needs to tell Joe that God probably wants more than Joe can write in four posts, but Joe is just a simple guy after all.) In part one he deals with some spiritual disciplines in light of the values Micah 6:8.
I am not pitting spiritual disciplines against these values, but I am pitting the narrow, hyper-personalized approach to spirituality against what God desires for us. When Bible study, prayer and fellowship for the purpose of personal, spiritual strength are our greatest emphases we are missing the point. What God requires of us is not closet spirituality, but public spirituality.
I'm quite certain that nearly no one will disagree with Thorn on this, but in practice most of us are guilty of "closet spirituality." Too often our pride will keep us from admitting it. I've been a member at churches where the first application point every week was, "So first of all we need to read our Bible's more." Aren't we are known by the fruit we produce? It's very easy to see that the American church looks more like Job's counselors than justice and mercy workers.
Agree with Joe on this one...
A new type of legalism can be created saying that is we read our bibles and pray X mins each day , then we are OK.
The reason we are attached to the Vine, is that we produce fruit. A tree never produces fruit for its own consummation...but for others.
Posted by: Kolin | 03/31/2006 at 02:04 AM
i'm right with you and joe on this, but i think we need to be careful to acknowledge that what we do in the closet is what empowers us to be missional both in the community of the redeemed and in the world. the act of the spiritual disciplines is appropriate as a means to an end, but not as an end itself
...in my opinion
Posted by: david | 03/31/2006 at 07:22 AM
David-
Great thoughts. I'm right with you on that.
Posted by: rick | 03/31/2006 at 09:55 AM
Once again I am disappointed to see Christians put forth more false delimas...the same old either/or business. It seems to me that God wants both our closet spirituality (go alone into your closet and pray) and our public spirituality (so that men may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven). There is danger in neglecting either one.
Posted by: Jason | 03/31/2006 at 12:46 PM
Jason, if you think Joe's point as I quote him above is either/or, then you EITHER didn't read my post OR you didn't read my post. I'm disappointed that you see people pushing false dilemmas when they aren't. Please read Joe's post for further clarification.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 03/31/2006 at 01:56 PM
Mmmmmm. "Delimas"
Yeah, I'll take a delimas on wheat with pepperjack cheese, lettuce and easy mustard.
Posted by: Joe Thorn | 03/31/2006 at 01:58 PM
Sorry Jason, I couldn't resist. I mean, it wasn't even close to the right spelling. Then again, my track record on this blog with typos is worse than anyones.
The quote above shows what my concern is and what I am pitting against what. Read my whole post to get a fuller explanation. It is also only an introduction to the topic. It ends with,
So you will have to wait for more to see the full picture. Don't jump to conclusions bro.
Oh, and it's "dilemma."
Posted by: Joe Thorn | 03/31/2006 at 02:05 PM
Yeah, and Joe - don't forget the apostrophe in "anyone's."
sheesh. see ya tomorrow!
oh, and Hi Steve. How's THAT for topic drift??
Posted by: Chris W | 04/01/2006 at 04:22 PM